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A Kinder, Gentler American Idol

1/21/2011

3 Comments

 
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Well, it was an interesting three hours of programming. I think overall I'm going to like the combo of Steven/Jennifer/Randy, but in other ways, it was too early to tell and they seemed to intentionally avoid the tough scenes that we've come to know in these early rounds in previous years. Some random thoughts:

- There were several vocalists who in previous years would not have secured enough support to get through to Hollywood. It's going to be interesting to see how this judging crew makes tough choices in Hollywood with people who might be able to sing but who don't have a chance to win. In most cases in previous years, Simon would shut them down and Randy would be a joiner with him because Randy is a joiner. This week, he joined with JLo and Steven as they let in the medium talent.

- The first night still contained one of my pet peeve segments for the early rounds: the "sing-a-log" to the Miley Cyrus tune "Party in the U.S.A." - and this one was even worse, because they used the Japanese Michael Jackson dude as the first person to sing it. He actually says "I hate the Miley song" or something like that. When he first said that, I thought it odd but attributed it to my inability to understand what he was saying. But then they followed his complete audition with a montage of other awful people singing the song.

So here's what that means: it means that he did not come prepared to sing that song. It means that his first audition was with something else, and then they asked/forced him to sing it. Along with everyone else who sucked. At least this week they added people who were good singing along with it, but I find that whole device to be offensive. Of course they don't know the song and they suck - they weren't prepared to sing it in the first place.

- They have been successful so far in capturing some great stories of hardship and great singers who are trying to overcome great odds. And I really like the few 15 year olds that they have harvested. Can't imagine that they will survive, but (after a too long bio sequence involving the new judges) they have put the focus in the right place - the singers!

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3 Comments
Patricia
1/21/2011 01:56:48 am

I was quite pleasantly surprised, especially with Steven Tyler. He had me laughing a lot but he knew his stuff. I figured he'd come off as just another aging rocker whose substance abuse took far too many brain cells. It will be interesting to see what happens when the judges have to make the tough decisions.

Next week's auditions are from Milwaukee. One of the people who makes it through is the friend of the daughter of my co-worker so we're all waiting to see her. She was in the show choir at Waubonsee HS. Glad you're blogging again - the week is much more fun when we have this to look forward to instead of just another balmy day here in Illinois!

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Zoe
1/21/2011 08:36:50 am

Waubonsee! I go to high school in the same town. I can't wait so see that! I'm going to freak!! Lol.

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ellie link
1/21/2011 09:05:06 am

Steven Tyler has always seemed to have a just right mix of self-deprecating and self-importance. I remember him saying when they went to see This Is Spinal Tap, he and his bandmates were the only audience members who didn't find it funny--because it was them! Anyway, I'm loving him. Jennifer Lopez has never really been someone I've paid attention to, but I like her. People have compared her to Paula by stating she's similar, but that's quite unfair. Paula was C list, J-Lo is A list, whether one is a fan of hers or not. She does know what she's talking about, and on this show she seems compassionate and human.

I miss Simon's candid comments, but I don't miss his cruelty.

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